Ironing machine



Ap 6, 1937. A. o. MCCOLLUM IRO'NING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Shea?I l Filed June 23, 1934 INVENTOR. @7A/065W 0 /VcCoLL 0M ATTORNEY April 6, 1937.

A. O. MCCOLLUM IRONING MACHINE Filed June 25, 1934 6 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR.

i i `A TToRNEY April 6, 1937. A. o. MccoLLUM IRONING MACHINE Filed June 23, 1934 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. @f1/065W@ /VcCou z//V ATTORNEY April 6, 1937. A. o. MccoLLuM IRONING MACHINE Filedqune 23, 1954 e sheets-sheetA y ATTORNEY April 6, 1937. A. o. MccoLLuM IRONING MACHINE Filed June 25, 1934 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 IN VEN TOR. /Voefn/ Q /Vc COLL UM A TTORNEY Patented Apr. 6, 1.937

UNITED STATES IRONING MACHINE Andrew 0. McCollum, Detroit, Mich., assignor to Hydraulic Brake Company, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of California Application June 23, 1934, Serial No. 732,129

A14 claims.

This invention relates to ironing machines and more particularly to ironing machines for domestic use.

The invention comprehends an ironing machine including cooperative ironing elements and fluid pressure means for actuating one of the ironing elements and for retaining the other ironing element in any one of a plurality of operative positions. The fluid pressure means includes a uid reservoir, a pressure producing element supplied therefrom, and fluid pressure actuated motors actuated by the pressure producing elements, one of the motors is arranged to actuate means for retaining one of the ironing elements in one or more operative positions and the other motors are p arranged to actuate the other ironing element to create an ironing pressure between the elements.

An object of the invention is to provide an ironing machine including cooperative ironing ele-,

2o ments, fluid pressure means for actuating one of the elements, and means actuated by the iiuid pressure means for retaining the other ironing element in one or more operative positions.

Another object of the invention is to provide an ironing machine including cooperative ironing elements, one movable manually into operative position, means for retaining the manually movable element in any one of a plurality of operative positions, and iiuid pressure means for actuating the other ironing element including means for actuating the retaining means.

A feature of the invention is a pair of cooperative ironing elements, any one movable manually into one of a plurality of operative positions, and

fluid pressure means for moving the other ironing element to create an ironing pressure between the elements including means for actuating the retaining means prior to movement of the ironing element to create an ironing pressure.

Other objects and features of the invention will appear from the following description taken in connection with the drawings forming a partof this specification, and in which,-

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of an ironing machine embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary View in section, illustrating means for retaining the head lin-any one of a plurality of operative positions.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view partly broken away;

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the buck support: o

Figure 5 is a side elevation, partly in section 55 and partly broken away, illustrating the assembly device.

of the fluid pressure means, the buck support, and the buck;

Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional view ofone of the motors and associated guide for the buck;

Figure 7 is a-top plan view of the pressure pro- 5 ducing device;

Figure 8 is a sectional view substantially on line 8-8, Figure '7;

Figure 9 is a diagrammatical illustration of the electric circuit for the machine; 10

yFigure 10 is an enlarged sectional view substantially on line I IJ-III, Figure 7, of the pressure producing device; and

Figure 11 is an enlarged sectional view substantially on line I l-I I, Figure?, of the valve mech- 15 anism -forming a part ofthe pressure producing Referring to the drawings for more specific details of the invention, I0 represents a frame includlng a rectangular casting having a pan I2 at 20 one end and, ahollow Vertical column I4 at its other end. A sleeve I6, bolted or otherwise secured to the frame conc'entrically of the column I4, has tted therein a column I8 constituting the main support of the frame; and secured to the 25 frame are corresponding legs 20 for cooperation with the column I8.

An apron 22 issuitably secured to the frame to conceal parts ofthe operating mechanism to be hereinafter described. A top 24 supported on 30 the frame has an opening for the reception of the column I4, and a frustro-conical portion 28 extending upwardly immediately above the pan I2, and this frustro-conical portion has an opening in its top, the purpose of which will herein- 35` after appear. The top also has an apron 28 e1'- fectively concealing the frame.

A uid pressure producing device 30 mounted in the pan I2 includes a casting comprising a reservoir 32 having therein a spring-pressed pis- 40 ton 34. As shown, the piston is formed with a concentric sleeve 36 extending forward and rearward of the head of the piston. 'This sleeve has a circumferential ange 38 and an internally threaded portion 40. A leak-proof cup 42 seated 45 on the head of the piston is retained against displacement by the flange 38, and a hollow piston rod 44 threaded in the sleeve is closed as by a removable plug 4B.

A cover plate 48, retained in the open end of 50 the reservoir by a split ring 50 seated ina circumferential groove in the wall of theoreservoir, has an opening for the reception` of the piston rod 44, and a coil spring 52 interposed between the cover plate 48 and the back of the piston 34 urges the 55' low pressure chamber 56 and a high pressure chamber 58. The low pressure chamber 56 has ports 60 and 62 providing communications between the low pressure chamber and the reservoir, and the high pressure chamber has a discharge port 64 controlled by a check valve 66.

The valve 66 includes a coupling 68 secured in the discharge port 64, and suitably secured to the other end of the coupling is a pipe section 10 providing a valvechamber 12. The coupling is closed at 'one end as at 14 and is provided with a transverse bore 16. The closed end has a reduced portion 18 on which isfitted a iiexible sleeve 80 which provides for the iiow of fluid in one direction only.

A reciprocable piston 82 in the chambers 56 and 58 is retained against displacement by a transversely split ring, 84 seated in a circumv Ierentlal groove in the wall of the low pressure chamber. This piston has heads 86 and 88 spaced apart by a sleeve 90. The head 86 is tted in the chamber 56 and the head 88 is fitted in the chamber 58. The skirt of the piston has a portion of reduced cross-sectional area providing, in conjunction with the wall of the chamber 56, an

annular chamber 92 communicating 4by way of the port 60 with the reservoir"`32, and a leakproof cup 94 is fitted on the skirt between radial flanges.

The head 86 of the piston has a plurality of ports or passages 96 providing communications between the annular chamber 92 and that portion of the cylinder forward of the head 86. A co1- lapsible leak-prooi cup 98 loosely tted in a circumferential groove in the piston controls the iiow of fluid through the ports or passages 96.

. This cup is normally held on its seat by a relatively light spring |00 interposed between the cup and a stop |02 carried by the piston.

A plug |04 suitably secured in the skirt of the piston provides, in conjunction with the skirt, a chamber |06 having a port |08, providing a communication between the chamber |06 and the annular chamber 92, and a plurality of ports ||0, providing communications between the chamber |06 and that portion of. the cylinder forward of the head 86.

The head 88 of the piston has a plurality of ports ||2 providing communications between the `chambers 56 and 58, and a collapsible leak-proof cup ||4, seated on the head 88 and held against displacement bya flange ||6,l controls the flow of iluid through the ports ||2; and a spring ||8 interposed between the flange ||6 and the head of the'cylinder serves to return` the piston to its retracted position. The head 88 has an opening |20 providing a restricted communication between the sleeve 90 and the chamber 58.

A reciprocable piston |22 in the sleeve 90 has connected thereto a valve |24 urged by a spring |26 interposed between the valve and the plug |04 to seat on a cushioned washer |28 and to close the passages ||0. A leak-proof cup |30 on the head of the piston |22 is held against displacement by a spring |32 interposed between the cup and the back of the head 88.

The plug |04 in the skirt of the piston has a recess |34 receiving one end of a thrust rod |36, the other end of which is pivotally connected to an arm |38 keyed or otherwise secured to a shaft |40 journaled in a bearing |42 on the frame I0. An operatinglever |44 is suitably secured to the shaft, and adjustably attached to the operating lever is an extension |46 having upon its free end a hand grip or knob |48. By applying force to the lever the shaft may be moved through an angle and this movement is transmitted through the arm |38 and thrust rod |36 to the piston to move the piston on its compression stroke.

A valve chamber |50 at the bottom of the reser- I voir is provided with a port |52 providing a commu/nication between th-e valve chamber |50 and the reservoir 32, and ports |54 and |56 the purpose of which will hereinafter appear. The chamber |50 has therein a valve cage |58 secured in position by a plug |60 threaded in the open end of the chamber. 'I'he valve cage has a reduced portion providing in conjunction with the valve chamber a chamber |62 communicating by way of the port |52 with the reservoir 32, and a plurality of ports |64 providing communications between the chamber |62 and the interior of the valve cage. The cage also has a port |66 and a valve seat |68.

A leak-proof cup |10 is seated on the valve cage. This cup has an opening |12 of smaller diameter than the diameter of the port |66 so that the periphery defining the opening |12 overhangs the port |66, the object of which will hereinafter appear. A leak-proof. cup |14 is seated on the head of the valve chamber |50 and a spring interposed between the cups |10 and |14 retains these cups against displacement.

A valve |16 has a cylindrical portion |18 adapted to ilt in the port |66 and a irustro-conical portion adapted to engage the seat |68 when the valve is in closed position. .The inner perlphery of the cup |10 defining the opening |12 abuts the cylindrical portion |18 of the valve and seals the valve. The valve has a stem |82 which extends through the head of the chamber, and suitablyfsecured on this valve stem is a collar |84, and sleeved on the stem between the head of the valve chamber and the collar |84 is a coil spring |86 normally urging the valve to its seat. The valve stern |82 is suitably supported, and the free end of the stem engages an arm |88 on a. sleeve |90 suitably secured to the shaft |40.

A cylinder |92fis formed in the casting beneath the cylinder 58. This cylinder communicates by way of the port |56 with the valve chamber |50, and a reciprocable piston |94 in the chamber |92 has thereon a leak-proof cup |96 and a, thrust pin |98, the purpose of which will hereinafter appear.

A buck support 200 suitably 'mounted on the reservoir 32 includes an elongated receptacle having mounted in its respective ends motor cylinders 202 and 204 provided with oppositely disposed guides 206 and 208. The cylinders are connected respectively by conduits 2| 0 and 2| 2 to a coupling 2|4, and the coupling is connected-by' conduits 2|6 and 2|8 to the valve chamber 12 communicating with the discharge port 64 of the high pressure chamber 58 and to the port |54 in the valve chamber |50,A respectively.

Reciprocable pistons 220 in the respective cylinders of the motors 202 and 204 each include a head 222 provided with a concentric extension 224 having a reduced portion for the reception of a leak-proof cup 226. Eachof the pistons has an axial passage 228 communicating with a diametralvpassage 230 in the extension, and threaded in the axial passage 228 is a bleeder screw 232, and a cap 234 threaded on the pistons encioses the bleeder screw.

A buck 236 has on its ironing face a pad 238 over which is secured a suitable cover 240. On the back of this buck are pressure plates 242 engaging the caps 234 on the pistons 220. 'I'he buck also has formed on its back sleeves 244 received by the guides 206 and 208. Rods 246 suitably secured in the bottom of the buck support are received by the sleeves 244. The rods have l5 thereon heads 248 and coil springs 250 interposed between the heads and a retaining ring 252 seated in circumferential grooves in the walls of the sleeves.

An ironing head 254 adaptable for cooperation with the buck is pivotally connected to corresponding oppositely disposed horns 256 formed on a hollow arm 258 having a ared end 260 telescoping a spherical portion 262 on the column I4, and an internal web 264 having a lateral arm 266 pivoted to the spherical portion and extending beyond the pivot downwards into the column |4. The arm 258 has attached thereto a rod having on its free end a knob or hand grip 265 by which the head may be moved into operative position. The arm 266 has suitably attached thereto corresponding ends of springs 268,

the other ends of which are attached to adjusting screws 210. These springs serve to 'swing the arm upward and thereby return the head to inoperative position.

A drum segment 212 is suitably pivoted on the frame I0 and connected as by a link 214 to 'the end of the arm 286. A lever 216, also pivoted on the frame, has a frictional face 218 adaptable 40 for cooperation with the drum segment 212. This lever is actuated by the thrust pin |98 carried by the piston |94, and is retained in engagement with the thrust pin by a spring 280 connected between the lever and the frame. The lever `216 carries an adjusting screw 282 for regulating the throw of the lever.

A lever 284 pivoted on the frame has a lug 286 adaptable to engage a cam formed on the arm |38 and is held in engagement therewith by a spring 288 connected between the lever 284 and the frame. Thislever cooperates with the cam surface on the arm |38 to retain the operating lever 44 in neutral position.

A lever 290 suitably pivoted on theframe |0 has a lug 292 adapted to ride on a sleeve |90 on the shaft |40, and a spring 294 connected between the lever 290 and the frame normally holds the lug 292 in engagement with the sleeve. This lever has pivoted thereto an arm 298 connected by a spring 298 to the lever 290. When the lever 216 is in engagement with the drum 212, the arm 296 engages the ange on the drum segment and retards movement of the drum in the opposite direction.

65 When the lever |44 is actuated to relieve the pressure on the compression device, a pin or stud 300 carried by the arm |38 engages the lug 292 and trips the lever 290, resulting in disengaging the arm 296 from the flange of the drum 212,

whereupon the spring 298 trips the arm 296 and frees the drum 212 so that springs 288 may effectively return the head to inoperative position.

When the head is returned to inoperative position, the drum segment 212 is moved through Cil an arc to engage the pin or stud 300 carried by the arm |38 to lock the operating lever agains movement.

A fluid pressure switch 302 secured in the coupling 2| 4 is connected in a circuit 304 including a lamp 306 housed in the arm 258 back of an opening having therein a colored glass 306. The circuit 304 is tapped Aoi of a circuit 3|0 including a heating element 3|2, suitably arranged in the ironing head 254, and a rheostat 3|4. 'I'he circuit 3|0 may be connected to any suitable source of electrical supply.

In operation, assuming that the fluid pressure operated system is iilled with fluid. that the circuit 3|0 isconnected to a suitable source of electrical supply, that the ironing head 254 is in elevated' or inoperative position, and that the buck is in the position of rest wherein the pistons 220 of the motor cylinders 202 and 204 are in fully retracted position and the buck is held against the pistons 220 by the springs 260,- under these conditions, the operator places the work upon the buck and lowers the head 254 into' operative position by the hand grip 265, which position varies according to the thickness of the work.

Upon moving the head into operative position, the arm 266 is moved through an angle. This movement of the arm 266 places the return spring 268 under tension and transmits force through the link 214 to the drum segment 212 to move the drum segment in position for cooperation with the lever 216. As the drum segment moves into position for cooperation with the lever 216, the nger'296 on the lever 290 frictionally engages the flange of the drum segment and resists return movement of the drum segment.

After moving the head into operative position, the operator applies force tothe lever |44 by pressing downward on the hand grip |48. This movement of the lever |44 rocks the shaft |40 and moves the arm |38 thereon through an angle. This movement of the arm' |38,causes the cam on the arm to ride over the lug '286 on the lever 284, and to transmit force through the thrust pin |38 to move the piston 82 on its compression stroke.

During the initial movement of the Vpiston 82 on its compression stroke, the leak-prooi' cup 98 on the head 86 of the piston covers the port 62 and the fluid in the low pressure chamber 56 is displaced therefrom through the ports H2 in the vhead 88 of the piston, past the leakproof cup ||4 into the high pressure chamber 58, thence through portn 64, past the check valve 66, through conduit 2|8, coupling 2|4 and conduits 2|0 and 2|2 into the motor cylinders 202 and 204, also through conduit 2|6, valve chamber |50, thence through port |56 into cylinder |92. Because of the difference in the value of the spring 280 and the .springs 250, the piston |94 is actuated in advance of the motor pistons 220, resulting in actuation of the lever 216 to engage the drum segment 212 to retain the head 254 against movement. Further increase in pressure results in actuation of the pistons 220 in the motor cylinders 202 and 204, and the consequent movement of the buck 236 against the head.

This movement of the buck is the resultl of the displacement of fluid due to the initial movement of the piston 82, and further movement of the piston 82 creates sufficient pressure between the buck` and the ironing head to eiectively iron the work. The buck is moved against the resistance of the springs 250, resulting in compressing the springs between the heads on the rods 246 and the retaining rings 252 in the cylinders 244.

As the piston 82 is moved upon its compression stroke, the cam on the arm |38 rides over the 5 lug or stop 286 on the lever 284 and displaces the lever 284, the object of which will hereinafter appear. Upon further movement of the piston 82 a predetermined pressure is obtained, whereupon the piston |22 is actuated by uid under pressure in the low pressure chamber 56, re-

sulting in tripping the valve |24 and thereby rendering the head 86 of the piston ineffective for producing pressure, the fluid forward of the yhead 86 being returned to the reservoir byvway "of the ports ||0, chamber |06, port |08, chamber 62, and ports 80, as. the piston proceeds on its compression stroke, the fluid under pressure in the chamber 58 operating against the piston |22 to retain the valve |24 open. This transition of pressure occurs` over a relatively wide range depending entirely upon the relation of the area of the piston |22 to the area of the valve I 24. Because of the restricted opening |20 providing a communication between the 25 chamber 58 and the sleeve 90, sudden movements of the piston 82 on its compression stroke will not cause actuation of the valve |24. Y

When the pressure between the ironing elements reaches a predetermined degree, the fluid under pressure in the system actuates the fluid pressure switch 302 to close the circuit 304 resulting in lighting the lamp 306. This gives a visual indication that the required ironing pressure between the ironing elements has been attained.

Upon releasing the applied force, the check valve 66 closes to maintain the pressure at a predetermined degree, and after maintaining the y pressure for a suillcient period of time to eifectively iron the work, the operator raises the lever |44. This movement of the lever |44 is transmitted to the shaft, resulting in lmovement of the arm |38 and retraction of the thrust pin |36. As the thrust pin is retracted, the piston 82 is returned to its normal retracted position under the influence of the spring |l8, and the cam "on the arm |36 rides over the lug 288 on the lever 284 to retain the. operating lever |44 in elevatedposition.

As the piston 82 returns to its retracted position, the cups 98 and ||4 collapsend fluid is drawn from the reservoir 32 through the ports 60, chamber 92, ports 961, past the cup 98, into the cylinder 56 forward of the pistou head 86, thence through ports ||2 in the piston head 88, past the cup ||4 and the chamber 59, filling the chambers 58 and 58 for subsequent operation. When the piston 82 is fully retracted, the cup 88 uncovers the port 62 and any surplus fluid in. the cylinder is returned through this port to the reservoir.

Upon further movement of the operating lever |44 in the reverse direction, the shaft is moved through an angle, and this movement is transmitted through the arm |88 on the shaft to trip 65 the motor cylinders 202 and 204 and the chamber |88 is released. Upon tripping the valve |16, the fluid in the cylinders 202 and 204 and the chamber or vcylinder |98 is returned therefrom to the reservoir. The fluid is returned from the cylinders 202 and 204 through the conduits 2|0 and 2|2, coupling 2|4, and conduit 2|8 to the valve chamber |50, thence past the valve |16, through port |64, chamber |62 and port |52 to the reser- '75 voir, due to the tension on the spring 250 conthe valve |16, whereupon pressure on the fluid in nected between the buck and the buck support. These springs also serve to retain the buck on the pistons 220 in the motor cylinders and to return the buck'to its normal position.

Simultaneously with the return of the fluid from the motor cylinders 202 and 204 to the reservoir, fluid is returned from the chamber or cylinder |92 through the portv |56 to the valve chamber |50, thence past valve |16, through port |64, chamber |62 and port ,|52 to the reservoir, due to the tension of spring 280 connected between the frame I0 and the lever 216, this lever being in direct engagement with the piston |94. Immediately following the tripping of the valve |16, the pin 300 on the-arm |38 engages a lug on the lever 290 and depresses this lever to disengage the finger 296 frmthe rim of the drum 212.

As the piston |94 returns to its retracted position, the lever 216 is moved to disengage the drum segment 262, whereupon the springs 214 become effective to return the head 254 to elevated or inoperative position. As the head returns to inoperative position, the drum segment is moved through an angle to engage the pin 800, and thereby lock the lever |38 against movement to prevent operation of the uid pressure system when the head is in elevated or inoperative position.

While this invention has been described in connection with kcertain specific embodiments, the principle involved is susceptible of numerous other applications that will readily occur to persons skilled in the art. The invention is, there` fore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the various features of the invention, what Iclaim is new and desire to secure by Letters Patentisg- 1. An ironing machine comprising cooperative ironing elements, friction means for retaining one of the elements against movement, fluid pressure actuated means for actuating the friction means, fluid pressure actuated means for moving the other element to create an ironing pressure between the elements, a pressure producing means connected to each of the fluid pressure \-actuated means, and means, for actuating the fluid pressure producing means.

2. An ironing machine comprising cooperative ironing elements, friction means for retaining one of the elements in operative position, fluid pressure actuated means for moving the other ele-f ment to create an ironing pressure between the elements, fluid pressure actuated means operatively lconnected to the friction means, a pressure producing means connected to each of the fluid pressure actuated means, and means for actuating the uid pressure producing means.

3. An ironing machine comprising cooperative ironing elements, friction means for retaining one of the elements in any one of a plurality of operative positions, fluid pressure actuated means for moving the other element to create an ironing pressure between the elements, a fluid pressure actuated means for actuating the friction means,

1c means cooperating with the supporting means li'or retaining the element in any one of a plurality of operative positions, means for moving the other element to create an ironing pressure between the elements, and a uid pressure system for actuating in sequence the friction means and the moving means.

, 6. An ironing machine comprising cooperative ironing elements, means for moving one of the elements into operative position, friction means for retaining this element in operative position, and means for moving the other element to create an ironing pressure between the elements including means for actuating the friction means. l 7. An ironing machine comprising an ironing head, a buck for cooperation therewith, means for supporting the ironing head for movement into and from operative position, friction means 30 cooperating with the supporting means for remeans cooperating with the' supporting means for moving the ironing head from operative position, and hydraulic means for actuating the 35 buck and for actuating the friction means.l

head, a buck for cooperation therewith, means supporting -the head for movement into and from operative position, friction means cooperating with the supporting means for retaining the 40 head in operative position, tension members cooperating with the supporting means yfor movlng the head from operative position, fluid pressure actuated means for moving the buck, a iiuid pressure actuated means for actuating the fric'- 45 tion means, and means for actuating the uid pressure actuated means.

9i An. ironing machine comprising an ironing head, a buck for cooperation therewith, means supporting the head for movement into and from 50 operative position, friction means cooperating with the supporting means for retaining the head in any one of a plurality of operative po" sitions, uid pressure me'ans for actuating the buck and.friction means, and means cooperat- 55 ing with the supporting means for moving the head from operative position.

10. An ironing machine comprising an^iron ing head, a buck for cooperation therewith,

taining the head in operative position, tension,

8. An ironin'g machine comprising an ironing means supporting the head for movement into and from operative position, friction means cooperating with the supporting means for retaining the head in any one of a plurality of operative positions, means cooperating with the supporting means for moving the head to inoperativeposition, fluid pressure means for actuating the buck and friction means including fluid pressure actuated motors, a pressure producing device connected to the motors, and means for actuating the device.

11. An ironing machine comprising an ironing head, a buck for cooperation therewith, means supporting the head for movement into and from operative position, a member connected to and movable by the supporting means, a friction element cooperating with the member toretain the head in operative position, and a uid pressure system for actuating the friction element and for moving the buck against the head.

12. An ironing machine comprising an ironing head, a buck for cooperation therewith, means supporting the head for movement into and from operative position, a member connected to and movable by the supporting means, friction means arranged for cooperation with the member for retaining the supporting means against movement, and a iiuid pressure system for actuating the buck and the friction element. 13.- An ironing machine comprising an ironing element, a buck for cooperation therewith. means supporting the ironing element for move-y ment into and from operative position, means tending to move this element from operative position, means for retaining this element in any lone of a plurality of operative positions including a drum segment connected to and movable by the supporting means, friction means cooperating with the drum segment for retaining the supporting means against movement, a uid pressure system for actuating the buck and lthe friction element, and means for actuating the iiuid pressure system. 1

` 14. An ironing machine comprising an ironing head, a buck arranged for cooperation therewith, means supporting the head for movement into and from operative position, means tending to move the head from operative position, means for retaining the head in any one of a'plurality of operative'positions including a drum-segment connected toand movable with the head and a lever arranged to frictionally engage the drum'- segment, a uidpressure system forv actuating the buck and the lever, and means for actuating the uid pressure system.

ANDREW O. MCCOLLUM. 

